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ESPN's coverage of 2026 NBA Finals is setting ratings records for ABC

New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs players at the 2026 NBA Finals.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) shoots between San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard De'aaron Fox (4) during Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series in New York. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)

The stunning victory by the New York Knickerbockers over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday gave ABC the most-watched NBA Finals Game 4 since 1998, the year of Michael Jordan’s last championship with the Chicago Bulls.

Nielsen data showed an average of 20.9 million viewers watched the Knicks overcome a 29-point halftime deficit to top Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs 107-106 at Madison Square Garden, the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. The Knicks have a 3-1 lead in the series and will play Game 5 on Saturday in San Antonio, attempting to win their first NBA championship in 53 years.

Through the first four games, the NBA Finals are averaging 19.6 million viewers, also the highest since the Bulls-Utah Jazz faced off on NBC in 1998. The series is on track to become the most-watched since the NBA Finals moved to ABC and ESPN in 2002.

“The match-up is ideal from a media business standpoint, featuring the nation’s largest media market with New York, teams with robust followings and multiple all-stars, especially Wemby, the compelling new face of the NBA,” said Lee Berke, president of LHB Sports Entertainment & Media, Inc.

The Knicks-Spurs series is up 116% over the first four games of last year’s match-up between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. But the most encouraging numbers for ABC and ESPN is the growth among younger viewers, who have become harder to reach in the age of social media and streaming. Ratings among teens aged 12 to 17 are up 138% while the 18 to 24 age group is up 147%.

Read more:2026 Super Bowl scores 124.9 million viewers, second-largest audience in history

ABC is also seeing spikes in viewing among women, up 121%, and the Latino audience due to its large populations in the markets of New York and San Antonio, according to Flora Kelly, ESPN’s senior vice president for audience research.

Viewing in the New York market alone is accounting for 15% of the national audience. The average price for a 30-second commercial on the telecasts topped $1 million each, according to people familiar with the figures who were not authorized to comment publicly. Some spots have gone for as much as $2.3 million.

Alana Haim, left, sister Este Haim, Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay cheering at Madison Square Garden
Alana Haim, left, Este Haim, Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay cheer during Game 4 at New York's Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. (Al Bello / Getty Images)

In addition to delivering highly competitive games, the NBA Finals also had President Trump and pop superstar Taylor Swift in attendance at Madison Square Garden. Both are capable of turning a live TV event into a full-blown spectacle.

“What we’re seeing is that this Spurs-Knicks series is a tremendous cultural moment,” Kelly said.

Trump attended Game 3, making him the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals. While Trump was a fixture at Knicks games before he entered the national political scene, some commentators, such as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, believed the president’s insistence on attending Monday’s contest became a distraction that disrupted the home team’s momentum. (The Knicks lost the game 115-111, ending the team’s streak of 13 consecutive wins.)

Swift showed up for Game 4, joining “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay and the other celebrities who regularly show up courtside at Madison Square Garden.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Xander Bogaerts returns; Bryce Johnson DFA’d

Apr 19, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Bryce Johnson (29) looks on during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts has returned to the San Diego Padres after being away from the team this past week for the birth of his first child. The corresponding roster move was to designate outfielder Bryce Johnson for assignment. Johnson, whom the Padres acquired as a free agent in 2023 and released after the 2024 season, was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates to begin the 2025 season. Playing in the minor leagues for Pittsburgh, Johnson was traded back to the Padres in April of last year. He has been used sparingly by the team this season, hitting .178/.229/.451 in 45 at-bats.

Never known for his offense, Johnson primarily provided outfield defense and base running skills. After releasing outfielder Nick Castellanos, the Padres appear to be leaning toward more athleticism, versatility, and energy in their bench players. There also seems to be a preference for keeping the left-handed bat of infielder Will Wagner available, as well.

With the performance of utility man turned left-fielder Samad Taylor seemingly guaranteeing him regular playing time, the Padres will have outfielder Jase Bowen, infielder Will Wagner, and infielder Sung-Mun Song as their primary bench players.

The return of Bogaerts gives the Padres eight players to man the four infield spots, with a lot of versatility available. When Miguel Andujar is healthy, he is the primary DH but can also sub for Manny Machado at third base. Gavin Sheets, Ty France, Song, Wagner, and Fernando Tatis Jr. provide the team with multiple different looks for the lineup. Bowen and Taylor will serve as the regular left fielder and backup outfielder, as the need arises.

All are capable defenders, while offensive substitutions are more available with the increased versatility. This appears to be the solution in left field with the loss of Ramón Laureano, at least until the trade market opens up.

If Johnson clears waivers and chooses to stay, he can return to Triple-A El Paso as a depth piece. If claimed off waivers, he will move on to a new organization he chooses. The third option would be for the Padres to release him, and he would then become a free agent.

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San Diego Padres at Baltimore Orioles

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres advances home to score a run against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning at Petco Park on June 10, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

San Diego Padres (35-32) at Baltimore Orioles (33-37), June 12, 2026, 4:05 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards – San Diego, Baltimore, Mary.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Phillies manhandled by Jacob Misiorowski's power arm, Brewers bats

Phillies manhandled by Jacob Misiorowski's power arm, Brewers bats originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

MILWAUKEE – There was a festive buzz in the air an hour before the Milwaukee Brewers hosted the Phillies on Friday night.

In the vast parking lots around American Family Field, tailgaters grilled bratwurst, chugged beers and blared music.

A woman in a red-pinstriped Phillies shirt made her way to the ballpark entrance.

A man in a Brewers shirt booed her.

“Just kidding,” the man said.

It’s true what they say. They make ‘em a little kinder and gentler out here in the Midwest.

As lively as the show was outside the ballpark, it was even better inside. At least if you were a Brewers fan. They came to see one of the best acts in baseball and Jacob Misiorowski – much to the Phillies’ dismay – delivered in a big way.

The Brewers hung a 6-0 loss on the Phillies in a two-hour, four-minute contest that really seemed like no contest. Misiorowski, the Brewers’ gas-throwing right-hander, completely manhandled the Phillies on one hit for his first career shutout. He struck out a career-high 15, most of them with a four-seam fastball that averaged 101.6 mph. He walked nine. He faced the minimum 27 hitters.

Misiorowski, 24, lowered his MLB-leading ERA to 1.34. Phillies lefty Cristopher Sanchez, who pitches here in Sunday’s series finale, has a 1.54 ERA.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Phillies rookie Andrew Painter continued to struggle. The Phillies tried to soften his landing by using lefty reliever Tanner Banks as an opener. Banks gave up a run in the first inning. Painter came on in the second and was tagged for five hits and five runs in his five innings of work. He got the first two outs in the fifth before giving up a double, a walk and a three-run homer to Jake Bauers. Painter has allowed 15 runs in 13 innings over his last three outings. His ERA has swelled to 6.43 and it’s fair to wonder if he – and his confidence – could use some time in Triple A.

Some Phillies players expressed their displeasure when Misiorowski, after just five big-league starts, made the National League All-Star team over Sanchez last summer. Later in the 2025 season, the Phillies beat Misiorowski, tagging him for three runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 10-8 win.

But this time, it was all Misiorowski.

He opened the game by striking out Kyle Schwarber on a fastball that measured 104.5 mph, the hardest pitch thrown by a starting pitcher since MLB began tracking velocity in 2008.

Misiorowski went on to strike out Trea Turner and Bryce Harper in the first inning. He threw 12 pitches in the frame. Nine of them were 103 mph or greater. Nine of Misiorowski’s first 11 outs came on strikeouts.

Schwarber had the Phillies’ only hit, a single to lead off the fourth. Turner then struck out and Harper grounded into a double play.

More coming soon …

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Lakers fans want LeBron James back

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers throws powder in the air before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Los Angeles bringing back LeBron James is more complicated this offseason than at any other time during his Lakers tenure. Given that he is an unrestricted free agent, he can go wherever he wants and the Lakers can’t just pay James what he is actually worth.

The franchise has to pay Austin Reaves, who is also an unrestricted free agent. Considering he reportedly wants over $40 milllion and other teams are reportedly interested in signing him, LA might have to pay a hefty price to secure their backcourt star.

So, the Lakers have to figure out how to do that and still pay LeBron to keep their three stars together. That’s going to be a challenge for this front office, but perhaps the first question they have to ask is if they should even bring James back to begin with?

He is still a top player in the NBA, but his decline has begun. LeBron averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2
assists per game. That was the lowest points average for LeBron since his 2003-04 rookie campaign.

Father Time might not be winning, but the clock is now on its side.

This is part of the reason LeBron became the third option for the Lakers this season. LeBron taking such a role is something he has never had to do, and it certainly was never the best course of action for a team he was on before.

But with Luka as No. 1 option and Reaves as another ball-dominant player, this was the way to optimize LA.

So, for our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked Lakers fans if they want LeBron back next season and the results indicated they do.

It was a close poll, but in the end, LeBron is still wanted because he remains an elite player. We saw that in the first round, when he dominated the Rockets without Luka Dončić and with Austin Reaves missing most of the games.

He is still an All-Star player and a fantastic starter. Walking away from LeBron wouldn’t make the Lakers better. In fact, they’d have to bring in a couple of players to try to match LeBron’s production. And even if they do that, those players are likely to cost more than LeBron’s deal will end up being and it’s unlikely they’ll be as good.

So, the best course of action for LA to win now still includes LeBron. The question is: can they figure out a dollar amount that satisfies everyone?

It’s in the Lakers’ best interest to do so.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.



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CSR Weekend Warriors: 6/12-6/14

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

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TIGERS AT GUARDIANS, Flaherty vs. Bibee, discussion

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Daniel Espino #66 of the Cleveland Guardians poses for a portrait at Cleveland Guardians Photo Day during 2026 Spring Training at Goodyear Ballpark on February 12, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here’s the Tigers lineup:

Here’s the Guardians lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

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A’s roster moves: Wilson activated, Rooker to IL

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 9: Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics fields a ball against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 9, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Bill Streicher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The A’s announced on Friday evening that shortstop Jacob Wilson was being activated off the 10-day IL, but that DH Brent Rooker would replace him on the list with a bone bruise in his left knee:

Wilson’s return should provide an immediate boost on both sides of the ball. The second-year shortstop was batting .292/.311/.398 with three home runs and a pair of stolen bases. It could have been a coincidence but the team’s defense took a step back as well while he’s been on the shelf’s The 24-year-old will immediately slot right back in as the starting shortstop after missing just over a month of action thanks to that shoulder injury. That’ll push Alika Williams back into a reserve role, where he profiles better.

As for Rooker, the move isn’t entirely surprising after he missed recent games with that knee injury. The former All-Star has struggled this season as he’s slashing just .200/.281/.398 in 48 games. He has 10 long balls but has seen stats across the board drop off for a second consecutive season. On the bright side the injury doesn’t sound too serious and he could be back well before the end of the month. Hopefully this time off will allow the 31-year-old time to reset, make some adjustments and come back looking like the Brent Rooker of old. In the meantime the A’s will likely rotate different guys in the DH spot depending on matchups, which could make the roster more flexible in a way.

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Spurs’ Luke Kornet (illness) listed as questionable for Game 5 against Knicks

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Luke Kornet #7 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Spurs could be without their backup center for a must-win Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Knicks. Luke Kornet has been listed as questionable in the injury report due to illness.

Kornet has not had a good playoffs and has only averaged a shade under eight minutes per game in the Finals. He’s only scored three total points in the series and pulled down nine total rebounds. San Antonio has been outscored by a total of 19 points when he’s been on the floor. It’s a horrible matchup for Kornet, who is not quick enough to guard Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter or switch effectively and struggles on the defensive boards against Mitchell Robinson. On paper, his potential absence shouldn’t have a big effect on the Spurs’ chances of forcing a Game 6.

The problem is, the Silver and Black don’t really have other viable big men to spare Victor Wembanyama, who is already averaging 40 minutes a game and at times has looked fatigued. While Kornet has not been effective, Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo, and Mason Plumlee still probably represent a downgrade. Mitch Johnson will likely go small instead if his backup big man misses the game, with Carter Bryant potentially getting minutes at center, as he has in the past. Bryant has not been good in his limited playing time, but he could be the best alternative.

The Spurs are down 3-1 in the Finals and are facing elimination. Game 5 will tip off at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, June 13.

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Arise, Sir Kevin: Sinfield knighted in king’s birthday honours list

  • Rugby league great given accolade for MND fundraising

  • Has raised more than £11m in memory of Rob Burrow

Kevin Sinfield has promised to continue his quest to support those living with motor neurone disease after being awarded a knighthood in the king’s birthday honours list.

The 45-year-old rugby league great has been recognised for his incredible fundraising efforts and becomes the second former player from the sport to be knighted, after Billy Boston’s elevation this time last year.

Continue reading...
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No One Remembers Who Came in Second: Golden Knights to Face Biggest Challenge Yet

The sun hasn’t yet set on the season for the Vegas Golden Knights, but it’s getting to be very late in the afternoon. 

The Golden Knights are no strangers to adversity. In the regular season, they survived nine different stretches of three or more losses, a bottom-five goaltending rotation, and long-term injuries to key players. Ultimately, this added up to a year full of underachievement, and, in a desperate attempt to break through, one of the more memorable Hail Marys in the history of the National Hockey League. 

With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the Golden Knights made a coaching change. Despite being in a playoff position, they relieved Bruce Cassidy of his duties as head coach and brought in John Tortorella. 

There were a million ways this late-season coaching change could have gone wrong, and a million reasons that it should have. But it didn’t. 

With Tortorella behind the bench, the Golden Knights ended the regular season on a 7-0-1 run. In Round 1, they battled through close calls against the Utah Mammoth and came out victorious. In Round 2, they dispatched the Anaheim Ducks in six games, which were so unremarkable that the biggest bit of news was that they lost a second-round draft pick for refusing to speak with the media after their Game 6 win. And in the Western Conference Final, the Golden Knights shocked the world and swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.

But now, down 3-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final, the Golden Knights face their biggest challenge yet. 

John Tortorella isn’t concerned about the predicament his team is in. Following Thursday’s Game 5 loss, he took the stand and vowed that his team would return to Raleigh for Game 7. 

“We’ll be back here,” he swore. “We’re just gonna do it in a different order… I’m gonna leave my clothes here, that’s for sure. They’ll be at the hotel.”

A Mark Messier guarantee for a Game 6 victory wasn’t the only promise Tortorella made on Thursday night. Mere moments later, he backed goaltender Carter Hart, who entered the series with a .924 save percentage but is now setting records for all the wrong reasons.

In Game 4, Hart became the first goaltender to allow 4+ goals through the first four games of the Stanley Cup Final; last night, he extended that to five straight. Hart’s average save percentage in this series is .856, and for the first time since April, he has lost two games in a row. 

It is also worth noting that Hart hasn’t been made available to the media following any of the five Stanley Cup Final games. Despite being the starting goaltender, he hasn’t spoken since a hastily relocated availability during media day that ended very abruptly.

And yet, there is no question that Hart will start Game 6 on Sunday. 

When asked if he considered going to Adin Hill in the third period of Game 5, Tortorella scoffed, “Oh, for– Christ, that could be the stupidest question I heard.”

Tortorella has made his decision, and time will tell if it was the right one. On Sunday night, the Golden Knights will either be one win away from the Stanley Cup or headed towards locker cleanout day.

Golf legend Walter Hagen used to say, “No one remembers who came in second,” and that’s where the Golden Knights stand right now. Win, and they force a Game 7 back in Raleigh for all the marbles. Win, and they get one step closer to etching their names in history as well as on Lord Stanley’s Cup. Lose, and they risk being forgotten.

It all comes down to Sunday.

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Golden Knights pushed to brink: How Hurricanes turned around Stanley Cup Final

The Carolina Hurricanes were trailing the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final two games to one heading into Game 4.

Now they are up 3-2 after becoming the first team in the series to win two in a row. They are in position to clinch their first Stanley Cup title since 2006 if they win Game 6 in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 14.

The Golden Knights will try to stave off elimination at home and force a Game 7 back in Raleigh, North Carolina. Coach John Tortorella vows that they will, even saying that he's going to leave his clothes at the team's Raleigh hotel.

Here is what happened to both teams in the last two games as the series turned around:

CAROLINA HURRICANES

Brandon Bussi took over the net

He replaced Frederik Andersen for the third period of Game 3 with the team down 4-0. He stopped a Mitch Marner penalty shot and allowed only a fluke goal in the second overtime after the Hurricanes rallied to tie the game in the third period.

Bussi got the starts the past two games and was solid in Game 4 and even better in Game 5.

"It's been a lot of fun," Bussi said after Thursday's game. "You work hard, you enjoy the moment, then you put your head down and grind."

Andersen − who needed a break, coach Rod Brind'Amour said, quoting goalie coach Paul Schonfelder − hasn't dressed for either game and hasn't practiced with the team. He did skate before players showed up for Thursday's practice and is available, if needed, Brind'Amour said.

As an aside, the Hurricanes also made a goalie change during their 2006 championship run. It was much earlier as Cam Ward replaced Martin Gerber in the first round and went on to be voted playoff MVP.

Jordan Staal is on fire

The 37-year-old Hurricanes captain is known for his faceoff prowess and defensive ability. But he has turned back the clock with his first five-game goal streak since he was a rookie in 2006-07. Doing it in the Stanley Cup Final puts his name alongside Hall of Famers Yvan Cournoyer, Jean Beliveau, Maurice Richard and Fred "Cyclone" Taylor.

Staal has the size and strength to be a scoring threat in front of the net − and now the goals are going in. He knocked in a rebound for his first goal of Game 4 then forced a turnover and scored while falling down on the second goal. His Game 5 goal was on a deflection.

Balanced scoring after first line comes through

The second line of Logan Stankoven, Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake has been a constant throughout the playoffs. Staal took off in the Final. But top-line players Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho had been relatively quiet.

That ended in Game 5. Svechnikov scored twice on the power play and Aho ended a five-game drought. Brind'Amour kept those two together and changed up the third person to get the line going.

They're playing better defensively

Marner had a hat trick in Game 3 because he was getting behind the Hurricanes' defense. Brind'Amour adjusted and Marner has one point in the last two games after getting seven in the first three games.

The Carolina coach didn't like the way the team played in the first period of Game 5, but the Hurricanes were able to play their style for much of the rest of the game. They even outscored Vegas 2-0 in the second period after being outscored 9-1 in the first four games.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Carter Hart's play has dropped off

When a reporter asked whether John Tortorella considered inserting backup goalie Adin Hill in the third period of Game 5, the Golden Knights coach said it could be "the stupidest question I've ever heard."

But Hart hasn't been as strong in this round as he was in the first three rounds. He had a 2.22 goals-against average and .924 save percentage heading into the series. But he has given up four goals in every game in the Final and has an .856 save percentage in the series.

Golden Knights can't control Staal

Tortorella usually doesn't discuss players on the other team but he did mention Staal after Game 4, saying, "He's killing us in front of the net."

The Golden Knights thought they had Staal tied up on his first goal in Game 4, but he got to a rebound. In Game 5, he checked Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb along the boards to create space to skate toward the front of the net and redirect a pass.

William Karlsson injury hurts

He left Game 5 and didn't return after being checked by Sean Walker. The trainer was looking at his arm. Tortorella said the team "probably" will be without Karlsson, a two-way center who kills penalties and plays the power play. The Golden Knights had to juggle lines without him, hurting their ability to come back.

Penalty killing woes and penalty woes

The Hurricanes struggled in the first three rounds on the power play but have found their game. They use Staal at the start of a power play. If he wins the faceoff, he stays on the ice and provides a big body in front. If not, he goes off and the speedy Nikolaj Ehlers comes on.

The Hurricanes have had two games in the Final in which they scored two power play goals. Golden Knights' injuries contributed. McNabb left Game 2 after being hit by a puck, and Karlsson left in Game 5.

The Golden Knights didn't help themselves with the number of penalties they took. They were called for back-to-back penalties in Game 5 and Carolina scored on the second one. The Hurricanes also scored on Vegas' four-minute high-sticking penalty in the third period.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Hurricanes turned around Stanley Cup Final vs Golden Knights